Policy 1011
All James Rumsey Technical Institute students that are pursuing acceptance into a high school program will undergo a three-part screening process for consideration. The initial two phases of this process are completion of an application and an interview with the instructor of their program(s) of interest. Additionally, the third phase occurs when students are screened by instructors and the James Rumsey Technical institute counselor on their historical data related to their time at their home school (high school of enrollment). The students that are up for consideration for acceptance into a program are evaluated for their attendance, academic standing, and discipline history. Upon review of each of these three components listed, instructors then determine whom they wish to admit into their program.
If a student is accepted into the program, they will receive a letter of acceptance from James Rumsey Technical Institute. Once a student is accepted and agrees to enrollment into their program, they are expected to continue to maintain high standing in their attendance, academics, and discipline record with both the high school they are enrolled in and at James Rumsey Technical Institute. This includes the timeframe that exists between acceptance into the program and the start of the program in the upcoming school year and continues throughout their program enrollment. Below are the guidelines that students must follow once accepted into the program:
Academics
To remain in James Rumsey Technical Institute, a student is expected to maintain satisfactory grades. High school grades are determined by daily work, periodic examinations, initiative, and neatness of work.
The letter grades used in reporting are as follows:
JRTI high school programs follow the Berkeley County Grading Scale Letter Grade:
| Letter Grade | A | B | C | D | F |
| Percentage | 90 – 100% | 80 – 89% | 70 – 79% | 60 – 69% | 0 – 59% |
Each student satisfactorily completing a technical program at the James Rumsey Technical Institute will receive four credits for each year or a total of eight credits for the regular two-year program. One credit will be awarded for each academic class successfully completed for the year.
Students that drop below a “C” average in their designated program courses will be re-evaluated for their ability to continue in the program. Students that drop below a “C” average in one or more academic classes will also be re-evaluated for their ability to continue in the program. Interventions will be put in place to provide support for the student to make improvements in their grades. All circumstances will be reviewed by the James Rumsey Technical Institute Executive Director. However, if a student fails their program or one or more academic classes during their enrollment at James Rumsey Technical Institute they could face removal from the program at James Rumsey Technical Institute.
Attendance
James Rumsey Technical Institute’s attendance policy follows the West Virginia State and Berkeley County Schools’ attendance policies and procedures. A copy of these policies is available upon request. Students who are absent need to provide an absence excuse to their James Rumsey Technical Institute instructor for admission into class. Student absences are reported daily in WVEIS (WV Education Information System). A Student Assistance Team (SAT) will review unusual circumstances regarding class contact time.
Following an absence, students are responsible for making up all work missed within the following timelines:
- Students will be given two days to bring in an acceptable excuse following an absence.
- Upon return to school, a student will be granted one full day for each day’s absence to complete work missed during such absence(s). Tests, projects, and major assignments scheduled prior to the student’s absences will be due the day the student returns unless prior arrangements were made with the teacher.
- Upon teacher approval, additional time may be granted to complete work missed by documenting and signing an agreement with the teacher, which shall be retained by the teacher until all final grades are calculated at the conclusion of the school year. As soon as they return to school, it is the responsibility of the students to make all the necessary arrangements with the teacher for making up missed work. When the teacher sets an appointment for make-up work, tests, etc. and the student fails to show (assuming he or she is in school), the make-up work will be recorded as a “zero.”
- James Rumsey Technical Institute instructors will be responsible for making meaningful contact with a student’s parent, guardian, or custodian to discuss the student’s attendance record when a student reaches a total of 3 unexcused absences in the class/program.
- James Rumsey Technical Institute administrative team will be responsible for making meaningful contact with a student’s parent, guardian, or custodian to discuss the student’s attendance record when a student reaches a total of 5 unexcused absences in the class/program.
To obtain certification from their program, a student must miss no more than 20 days over the course of the 2-year period. All circumstances will be reviewed by the SAT (student assistance team) and the James Rumsey Technical Institute Executive Director. However, students that continually fail to attend either their classes at James Rumsey Technical Institute or at their home school could face removal from the program at James Rumsey Technical Institute.
Discipline
James Rumsey Technical Institute’s Administrative Council recognizes the need for students, teachers, administrators, and other school personnel to have a safe and supportive educational environment. James Rumsey Technical Institute’s Administrative Council believes further that public schools should undertake proactive, preventive approaches to ensure a positive school climate/culture that fosters learning and personal/social development. Public schools must create, encourage, and maintain a safe, drug-free, and fear-free school environment in the classroom, on the playground, and at school-sponsored activities. Assuring such an educational environment requires a comprehensive plan supported by everyone in the school organization, as well as parents/guardians and the community. You can download the complete Policy 4373 from the Student Resources page on our website.
James Rumsey Technical Institute expects all students to follow Policy 4373. All violations of Policy 4373 will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the James Rumsey Technical Institute Executive Director and will involve direct collaboration with the student’s home school pertaining to alignment to disciplinary action required by Policy 4373. However, the following expectations will be utilized when making these determinations:
Level III Violations: Offenses which may result in out-of-school suspension for up to ten (10) days and possible expulsion for up to one (1) school year.
- When a student has a level III violation, James Rumsey Technical Institute will collaborate directly with the student’s home school. Disciplinary action aligned to Policy 4373 will occur and James Rumsey will review the violation with consideration of one of two potential responses:
- Student will be placed on a behavior contract that clearly states expectations of student behavior moving forward. Violation of this contract will result in immediate dismissal from the program and the student will return to their home school.
- Or immediate dismissal from the program and the student will return to their home school.
Level IV Violations: Offenses which will result in mandatory out-of-school suspension for ten (10) days and possible expulsion for one (1) school year (1-2 semesters).
- When a student has a level IV violation, the student will be removed from their James Rumsey program.
Transparency for Enrollment
All expectations listed above are applicable to circumstances occurring in either James Rumsey Technical Institute or in the home school of the student. It is expected by James Rumsey Technical Institute that the student and their parent/guardian maintain direct communication with the James Rumsey staff to ensure that they are meeting all expectations required for their acceptance and continuance in their JRTI program.
Appeal
An appeal can be pursued by students and their guardians in relation to any decisions made in the policy outlined above. If an appeal is wished to be pursued one will need to follow the grievance policy outlined on the JRTI website.
James Rumsey Technical Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age, or any other basis prohibited by law in its programs, activities, or employment practices. For inquiries contact: Carissa Tress, Title IX Director/504 Coordinator, 3274 Hedgesville Rd, Martinsburg, WV 25403, 304-754-7925.